Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home for Elder Woodard Hugh "Woodie" Yates, 73 of Collins, who passed away on Monday, October 3, 2016 at his residence.

Elder Jimmy Barber and Elder Wayne Hebert will officiate at the services with interment to follow in the McDonald Chapel Cemetery in Collins. Special music will be provided by Mrs. Patricia Broom and Elder Jimmy Barber. Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at the Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Hebert, William Yates, Kenneth Yates, Randy Yates, Anthony Walker, and Jacob Walker. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Coker, David Roberts, and Jimmy Walker.

Elder Yates was a lifelong resident of Covington County, Mississippi. He was known by many as a member of the Center Ridge Landmark Baptist Church, a preacher, and missionary pastor. Elder Yates served as a pastor for over forty nine years at numerous churches throughout the area. He started his working career out in the construction business, then as a marine electrician for Bollinger Shipyard for numerous years. Elder Yates worked for Pine Belt Ready Mix in Collins and Lamar Concrete as a road salesman and manager until his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Noah Levi Yates, and Sampson Lou Minnie Williamson Yates; his daughter-in-law, Melanie Ann Boudreaux Yates; eight brothers; two sisters; two brothers-in-law; and three sisters-in-law.

Survivors include his devoted wife of fifty-five years, Ruby Joyce Walker Yates of Collins; two sons, Marshall Hugh Yates and his wife Dorothy of Collins, and Frankie Lavon Yates and his wife, Claire of Raceland, Louisiana; one daughter, Merry Katherine Yates Hebert and her husband, Wayne of Collins; nine grandchildren, Marshall Hugh Yates, Jr., Cody Dewayne Yates, Alisha Ann Yates Babin, Claire Alexandra Yates, Bobby Reece Hebert, Joseph Sean Gillian, Levi Gadiss Gillian, Mark Broussard, Jr., and Caroline Broussard; thirteen great-grandchildren. In addition, he is also survived by in-laws, Frank and Merry Oncale, and Tony and Louise Walker, who he loved as though they were his true siblings; Pearlie "Peanut: Walker and Helen Yates; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com